Quality HDR Photography

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Quality HDR Photography

Peter Thoeny specializes in quality HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography, creating evocative images Peter loves to travel with a small camera bag.

Peter Thoeny loves to travel and is fascinated with photography since high school in Switzerland. He first used a simple camera on his trips abroad, then for many years shot manually with a Rollei 35. Film was expensive in those days, and when traveling on a shoestring he had to carefully use and compose the shots. He learned to compose images when he did charcoal drawings and paintings while visi

ting Italy and other places in Europe. Peter now lives in the Silicon Valley for 20 years, and is an instructor at the Digital Photo Academy teaching photography in the San Francisco Bay Area. He mostly uses Sony mirror-less cameras with a variety of lenses, including a vintage 50mm f0.95 Dream Lens. He usually takes bracketed exposures and processes RAW images to get most out of a camera. Peter uses Photomatix Pro for HDR processing, and Pixelmator Pro for final touches on a MacBook Pro. "Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution." ~ Ansel Adams

Inspired by this quote, Peter strives to compose photos that tell a story and evoke emotions. His motto is 20% gear, 40% composition, 40% post-processing. Peter specializes in quality HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography, which is his passion for the last 8 years. He uses HDR processing mainly to work around the technical limitations of cameras by carefully post-processing images with the goal to reconstruct the feeling and the emotions he had while experiencing the scene. His images don't have this typical "HDR look" - most of the time you can't even tell they are HDR processed. The main purpose of the processing is to be able to look at an image on screen or print, and see what the human eyes actually saw out in the field. The best cameras, screens and prints are still no match to the quality of human eyes.

08/20/2025

---+ Taste the Magic Where Redwoods Witness Forever Promises

We recently attended a friend's wedding in Saratoga, California. The celebration took place at a magical place in the forest. We were surrounded by redwood trees that were decorated in a gazillion lights, perfect for a bokeh shot with the wedding cake.

I processed a balanced, a photographic, and a realistic HDR photo from a RAW exposure, blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/0.95, 50 mm, 1/250 sec, ISO 400, Sony A7 II, Canon 50mm f0.95 "Dream Lens", HDR, 1 RAW exposure, _DSC2094_hdr1bal1pho1rea1e.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

08/08/2025

---+ Karl is Visiting Us Again

San Francisco has a lot of fog in summer, typically creeping in from the sea. I intended to show visitors from Switzerland the San Francisco skyline from Grizzly Peak, a hill above Berkeley, California. Usually you get a nice view from above over San Francisco, the bay, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate. When we arrived after dinner we only could see a few feet. Karl the fog was back. On the way back to the city we stopped at Treasure Island, where we finally had a clear view of the San Francisco skyline. The taller buildings disappeared in the low hanging clouds and fog.

I processed a balanced, a photographic, and a paintery HDR photo from three RAW exposures, blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/6.3, 150 mm, 1/15, 1/4, 1 sec, ISO 800, Sony A6000, SEL-55210, HDR, 3 RAW exposures, _DSC3139_0_1_hdr3bal1pho1pai5f.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

08/01/2025

---+ From Cosmic Event to Biker Hangout

I went to a business meetup organized by the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco. On that day Earth was subjected to strong solar winds, which caused auroras way into the continental USA. After the event I drove along the Skyline Boulevard, a road that follows the ridge of the hills that separate the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. After taking some shots of the aurora, I drove home and stopped by Alice's restaurant on the Skyline Boulevard, a popular hangout for motor cyclists in daytime.

I processed a balanced, a paintery, and a photographic HDR photo from four RAW exposures, blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/4.0, 50 mm, 0.3, 4, 10, 30 sec, ISO 200, Sony A7 II, Canon 50mm f0.95 "Dream Lens", HDR, 4 RAW exposures, _DSC4403_4_5_6_hdr4bal1pai5pho1j.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2024 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

07/21/2025

---+ Celebrating Swiss Independence Day

Swiss Independence Day is coming up on first of August. The Swiss community living in the San Francisco Bay Area will celebrate the occasion at the Swiss Park in Newark, California, on Sunday, August 2nd. Would you like to join? This candid people shot is from last year's event.

I processed a balanced and a photographic HDR photo from a RAW exposure, blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/0.95, 50 mm, 1/1000 sec, ISO 100, Sony A7 II, Canon 50mm f0.95 "Dream Lens", HDR, 1 RAW exposure, _DSC3734_hdr1bal1pho1f.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2024 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

07/19/2025

---+ Witness Transylvania's Most Reliable News Source

During our Transylvania, Romania journey, we stayed at a hotel in Valea Drăganului. At breakfast, we met a Canadian woman who had grown up in the area and returned for a visit. She graciously offered to connect me with an elderly man living in the village for documentary photography. Unfortunately, the gentleman was unwell that day, so our plans didn't materialize. Instead, we strolled through the village streets while the Canadian woman explained that elderly residents enjoy sitting on benches to observe daily life and socialize. We met a spirited 90-year-old grandma dressed in black robes who was quite talkative and amusing. Thankfully, our Canadian acquaintance served as a translator.

I processed a photographic and a balanced HDR photo from two RAW exposures, blended them selectively, carefully adjusted the color balance and curves, desaturated the image with some sepia. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/4.0, 135 mm, 1/250 sec, ISO 125, Sony A7 II, Pentax Super Takumar 135mm f/2.5, HDR, 2 RAW exposures, _DSC0808_13_hdr2pho1bal1g.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

07/18/2025

---+ Journey Through Time in Transylvania

On our trip through Transylvania, Romania, we stayed at a B&B in Miercurea Ciuc. We explored nearby villages. It was raining when we passed a horse carriage in the small village of Nădejdea. They are still in use in the countryside.

I processed a balanced, a paintery, and a photographic HDR photo from three RAW exposures, blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/7.1, 24 mm, 1/500, 1/2000, 1/4000 sec, ISO 1600, Sony A6400, SEL-P1650, HDR, 3 RAW exposures, _DSC2204_5_6_hdr3bal1pai5pho1j.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

07/16/2025

---+ The Underground Lake That Outshines Dracula's Castle

During a week-long car tour of Transylvania, Romania in May, we visited Salina Turda, the historic Turda Salt Mine that operated from the 13th century until 1932 before reopening as a tourist attraction in 1992. At its deepest level, 26 floors underground, lies a subterranean lake. It was a wonderful experience to row across this dimly lit lake. I captured this image using a fisheye lens and combined two exposures to achieve an even more expansive perspective.

I processed a realistic and a balanced HDR photo from a two RAW exposure, stacked and blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/4.0, 12 mm, 1/30 sec, ISO 6400, Sony A7 II, Rokinon 12mm F2.8, HDR, 2 RAW exposures, _DSC0785_8_hdr2rea1bal1g.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

07/14/2025

---+ Feel the Bass That Makes Green Screens Vibrate

I attended an art gathering on Saturday evening at Nicholaus James Dalton's industrial building near downtown San Jose, California, where he provides studio space for artists. Nicholas was unveiling the new LionHouse Productions Studio, which will be a space for filming using green screen for music videos and movies/films. DJ music and reggae dance performances provided entertainment for the guests.

I processed a balanced and a realistic HDR photos from a RAW exposure, blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/4.0, 50 mm, 1/15 sec, ISO 800, Sony A7 II, Canon 50mm f0.95 "Dream Lens", HDR, 1 RAW exposure, _DSC1668_hdr1bal1rea1f.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

07/13/2025

---+ Chicano Pride Meets Chrome and Dreams

I attended an art gathering on Saturday evening at Nicholaus James Dalton's industrial building near downtown San Jose, California, where he provides studio space for artists. Many of the artists belong to the Chicano community. Two lowriders made an appearance at the event. This car culture is deeply rooted in Chicano/Latino communities, particularly in California, and has been an important part of Mexican-American cultural expression since the 1940s-50s. The hydraulic systems allow the cars to bounce and hop. A proud owner poses for me at his vintage Buick Regal lowrider.

I processed a balanced and a paintery HDR photos from two RAW exposures, blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/4.0, 50 mm, 1/50, 1/200 sec, ISO 400, Sony A7 II, Canon 50mm f0.95 "Dream Lens", HDR, 2 RAW exposures, _DSC1682_3_hdr2bal1pai5g.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

07/12/2025

---+ Diamond, Granite Rocks, and Half Dome

A photographer friend and I went on a road trip in the Sierra Nevada mountains to photograph the Stone Columns at Crowley Lake near Mammoth Lakes. The following day we returned via Tioga Pass through Yosemite National Park. This is the highest highway pass in California at an elevation of 9,945 ft (3,031 m). We stopped at Olmsted Point, which offers views of Yosemite's iconic Half Dome. I scaled a nearby rock formation to capture this diamond-shaped composition featuring the granite landscape with Half Dome in the background.

I processed a balanced, a paintery, and a realistic HDR photo from two sets of RAW exposures, blended and focus stacked them, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/6.3, 125 mm, 1/800, 1/1250, 1/3200, 1/4000 sec, ISO 400, Sony A6400, SEL-P1650, HDR, 5 RAW exposures, _DSC3080_1_2_3_5_hdr5bal1pai5rea1b.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

07/10/2025

---+ A Journey of 1000 Performances

The Takumi Kato family is back in town, visiting from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dad is a world-champion Taiko drummer from Japan. They plan to tour all 50 States and do 1000 performances. What an uplifting experience for the kids to travel and be on stage! This time they performed at the Japanese Art & Cultural Center in San Jose. Unexpectedly, they asked me to be the MC, which I happily accepted. It was their 498th performance. They got interviewed by NHK World: https://youtu.be/iGgShoq7-r0

I processed a balanced, a paintery, and a realistic HDR photo from a RAW exposure, blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.

-- HDR prints - http://bit.ly/qualityHDR
-- Photos look better on Flickr - see large format at http://bit.ly/qHDR
-- ƒ/6.3, 49 mm, 1/50 sec, ISO 1600, Sony A6400, SEL-P1650, HDR, 1 RAW exposure, _DSC2601_2_3_hdr3bal1pai5rea1e.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography

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